How I Teach the Overworked Piece

I thought it a good idea to present how I teach the concept of the "Overworked Piece".

I presented this concept twice this week, on the 6th September and 9th September 2016.

The first them I discuss is that "No Man Can Serve Two Masters". I ask the child to describe what chores they must do when they wake up. Typically they'll reply they need to brush teeth, eat breakfast, change their clothes. I then ask ... can you do all these things at the same time?

Making the Student set the Scene: The Overworked Piece

When I was on the Island of Jeju in South Korea, I brought back these stone men souveneirs.

I use the following scenarios to illustrate each piece being overworked.

The Overworked Knight

I ask the student to place a Black Knight where it guards both the Stone Men. I then ask them to use a White Rook to attack one of the Stone Men, and the White Queen to attack the other Stone Man.

I ask the student to tell me the two jobs the Black Knight is doing. They will reply "guarding both stone men".

I then get the student to used the Rook to capture a Stone Man. After the Black Knight recaptures, I ask them to tell me if the other Stone Man is defended.

This will illustrate the concept of the Overworked Knight.

The Overworked Rook

I ask the student to place a Black Rook where it guards both the Stone Men. I then ask them to use a White King to attack one of the Stone Men, and the White Bishop to attack the other Stone Man.

I ask the student to tell me the two jobs the Black Rook is doing. They will reply "guarding both stone men".

I then get the student to used the Bishop to capture a Stone Man. After the Black Rook recaptures, I ask them to tell me if the other Stone Man is defended.

This will illustrate the concept of the Overworked Rook.

The Overworked Bishop

I ask the student to place a Black Bishop where it guards both the Stone Men. I then ask them to use a White Knight to attack one of the Stone Men, and the White Bishop to attack the other Stone Man.

I ask the student to tell me the two jobs the Black Bishop is doing. They will reply "guarding both stone men".

I then get the student to used the Knight to capture a Stone Man. After the Black Bishop recaptures, I ask them to tell me if the other Stone Man is defended.

This will illustrate the concept of the Overworked Bishop.

The Overworked Queen

I ask the student to place a Black Queen where it guards both the Stone Men. I then ask them to use a White Bishop to attack one of the Stone Men, and the White Rook to attack the other Stone Man.

I ask the student to tell me the two jobs the Black Queen is doing. They will reply "guarding both stone men".

I then get the student to used the Rook to capture a Stone Man. After the Black Queen recaptures, I ask them to tell me if the other Stone Man is defended.

This will illustrate the concept of the Overworked Queen.

The Overworked Pawn

I ask the student to place a Black Pawn where it guards both the Stone Men. I then ask them to use a White Bishop to attack one of the Stone Men, and the White Knight to attack the other Stone Man.

I ask the student to tell me the two jobs the Black Pawn is doing. They will reply "guarding both stone men".

I then get the student to used the Bishop to capture a Stone Man. After the Black Pawn recaptures, I ask them to tell me if the other Stone Man is defended.

This will illustrate the concept of the Overworked Pawn.

The Overworked King

I ask the student to place a Black King where it guards both the Stone Men. I then ask them to use a White Rook to attack one of the Stone Men, and the White Knight to attack the other Stone Man.

I ask the student to tell me the two jobs the Black King is doing. They will reply "guarding both stone men".

I then get the student to used the Rook to capture a Stone Man. After the Black Knight recaptures, I ask them to tell me if the other Stone Man is defended.

This will illustrate the concept of the Overworked King.

Actual Tactical Examples from Play Illustrating the Overworked Piece

I like starting with the above example (Diagram 426 from Reinfeld).

I'll ask the student firstly where they think all the action is happening. They should point to the Kingside.

I'll then ask how many times is White attacking g7 (3 times).

How many times is Black defending g7 (3 times).

What is each of the White pieces doing? (They should mention the 3 pieces attacking g7, and may need to be prompted to mention the c1 Rook threatening Rc8

I'll ask them what each Black piece is doing. I will hint that someone is doing two jobs ... The Black Queen is guarding g7 through the Black Rook, whilst guarding c8 from the White Rook.

Can you find a way to exploit the Black Queen doing too many jobs? Make it go away from guarding g7 ... and use force!

Overworked Piece Example 438

I introduce this example to the student by asking what White's g3 Rook and Queen are ganging up on (g7).

I'll ask the student to describe all the jobs the Black Queen is doing. They may need to be prompted that she is guarding against Qf6+ and guarding the back rank (e8).

I'll prompt the student to see that the Black Queen is doing too many jobs ... defending e8 and f6. Can they play a move to overload the Queen?

After they play 1. Re8, I'll ask why Black can't play Rxg3 (pinned) or Rxe8 (mate on g7)

More Difficult Overworked Piece Example 432

For a stronger student, I like the above example. I ask them to tell me what White is ganging up on?

I'll ask them where the White Queen and Bishop are pointing at, and hit at them that the White Queen, Rook and Bishop are converging at f8.

I'll hint what job is the Black Rook doing (defending g7 and f8). He is overworked.

I'll hint at them to going behind the back of the Rook (rather than through it), and sneak around the Rook with the Queen.

Model Game illustrating Overworked Piece

This is a great short illustrative game to go through with the student to demonstrate the Overworked Piece. Build up the game to the point where you ask after Black's 17. ... e4, what jobs are the Black Queen doing? Can you take advantage that the Black Queen is guarding too many things.